Portrait of Professor Laura Empson

Professor Laura Empson

Professor in the Management of Professional Service Firms

Cass Business School, Faculty of Management

Contact

Visit Laura Empson

Room BR4080, Bunhill Row

Postal address

Cass Business School
106 Bunhill Row
London
EC1Y 8TZ
United Kingdom

About

Overview

For regular updates on my research activities please see my personal website https://www.lauraempson.com.

I am Director of the Cass Centre for Professional Service Firms and a Senior Research Fellow at Harvard Law School's Center on the Legal Profession.

Qualifications

  1. PhD, London Business School, unknown
  2. MBA, London Business School, unknown
  3. BSc Econ, University College London, unknown

Visiting appointments

  1. Senior Research Fellow, Harvard Law School, Sep 2016 – present
  2. Visiting Professor, University of Navarra, Jan 2012 – Dec 2014

Awards

  1. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal (AAAJ) (2016) Awarded Journal's best paper award
    Awarded Journal's best paper award for "Illusio and overwork: Playing the game in the accounting field", co authored with Ioana Lupu
  2. Financial Times (2013) Financial Times Professor of the Week
    Financial Times Professor of the Week and admission of concept of Leadership Constellation into FT Lexicon
  3. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) (2012) Invited to become Member of Peer Review College

Expertise

Primary topics

  • Knowledge Management
  • Change Management
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Leadership
  • Organization Theory
  • Organizational Behaviour
  • Organizational Culture
  • Management
  • Management Consulting

Industries

  • accountancy firms
  • investment banking
  • legal services
  • management consulting
  • professional services

Research

Research topics

Understanding the dynamics of leadership in professional service firms.

ESRC funded study into leadership in professional service firms

Co-constructing plural leadership dynamics among professional peers

Publication strand developed from ESRC Leadership study

Ambiguous authority and hidden hierarchy: collective leadership dynamics in a professional service firm

Publication strand developed from ESRC Leadership study

Antecedents of organizational socialization: the influence of early formative experiences on the careers of professional parents

Publication strand developed from Marie Curie Fellowship

Knowledge, identity, and power: taking stock of management consulting research

Publication strand developed from supervision of Szilvia Mosonyi

Managing paradoxes at the research-practice interface: A boundary management frameworkManaging paradoxes at the research-practice interface: A boundary management framework

Publication strand based on ongoing focus on research-practice divide

Title of thesis: The Emergence of the CSR Profession: A macro and micro level perspective

Sep 2014

Summary of research

Szilvia's research focuses on corporate social responsibility (CSR), an emerging occupation, whose practitioners work in the intersection of business and society and address companies’ responsibilities or their social, environmental, and economic impact in the short, medium, and long term. Drawing on a qualitative study of CSR managers and CSR consultants in the UK, she investigates how these practitioners work together to construct legitimacy for their field and how they address conflicting tensions they face in their everyday work. Her study aims to advance our understanding of occupational legitimatizing strategies in contemporary professions, redefine the role of the 'client' in the occupations literature, and expand the knowledge on responses to dynamic tensions.

Research students

2nd supervisor

Edwin Lee

Attendance: Sep 2015 – present, full-time

Thesis title: Innovation practices in law firm partnerships

Role: 1st Supervisor

Szilvia Mosonyi

Attendance: Sep 2014 – present, full-time

Thesis title: An ethnography of CSR consultants and their client interractions

Role: 2nd Supervisor

Imogen Cleaver

Attendance: Sep 2008 – Jun 2014, full-time

Thesis title: Identity work processes used by partners in a professional service firm

Role: 1st Supervisor

Publications

Books (4)

  1. Empson, L., Muzio, D., Broschak, J. and Hinings, B. (Eds.), (2017). Oxford Handbook of Professional Service Firms (Paperback edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  2. Empson, L. (2017). Leading Professionals Power, Politics, and Prima Donnas. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-874478-8.
  3. Empson, L., Hinings, R., Muzio, D. and Broschak, J. (2015). The Oxford Handbook of Professional Service Firms. Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 978-0-19-968239-3.
  4. Empson, L. (Ed.), (2007). Managing the modern law firm: New challenges, new perspectives. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-929674-3.

Chapters (17)

  1. Empson, L. (2017). My liminal life: Perpetual journeys across the research-practice divide. In Bartunek, J. and McKenzie, J. (Eds.), Academic practitioner research partnerships: Developments, complexities and opportunities Routledge.
  2. Ashley, L. and Empson, L. (2016). Explaining social exclusion and the ‘war for talent’ in the UK’s elite professional service firms. Diversity in Practice: Race, Gender, and Class in Legal and Professional Careers (pp. 114–138). ISBN 978-1-107-12365-6.
  3. Empson, L. and Langley, A. (2015). Leadership and Professionals: Multiple Manifestations of Influence in Professional Service Firms. In Empson, L., Muzio, D., Broschak, J. and Hinings, B. (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Professional Service Firms Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  4. Empson, L., Muzio, D., Broschak, J. and Hinings, B. (2015). Researching Professional Service Firms: An Introduction and Overview. In Empson, L., Muzio, D., Broschak, J. and Hinings, B. (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Professional Service Firms Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  5. Empson, L. (2015). Leadership, Power, and Politics in Law Firms. In Normand-Hochman, R. and Gardner, H. (Eds.), Leadership for Lawyers (pp. 89–102). Globe Law and Business in association with the International Bar Association. ISBN 978-1-909416-78-9.
  6. Empson, L. (2014). My Affair with the “Other”: Identity Journeys across the Research-Practice Divide. In Bell, E. and Willmott, H. (Eds.), Qualitative Research in Business and Management (4 volumes) Sage. ISBN 978-1-4462-8744-6.
  7. Empson, L. (2012). Fear of Exploitation and Fear of Contamination: Impediments to Knowledge Transfer in Mergers Between Professional Service Firms (2001 Reprint). In Avakian, S. and Clark, T. (Eds.), Management Consulting Edward Elgar Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84720-910-8.
  8. Empson, L. (2012). Beyond dichotomies: A multi-stage model of governance in professional service firms. In Reihlen, M. and Werr, A. (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Entrepreneurship in Professional Services Edward Elgar Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84844-626-7.
  9. Empson, L. (2008). Professional Service Firms. In Clegg, S. and Bailey, J.R. (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of Organization Studies (pp. 1311–1315). Sage. ISBN 978-1-4129-1515-1.
  10. Empson, L. (2008). Professions. In Clegg, S. and Bailey, J.R. (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of Organization Studies Sage. ISBN 978-1-4129-1515-1.
  11. Empson, L. (2007). Your partnership - Surviving and thriving in a changing world: the special nature of partnership. In Empson, L. (Ed.), Managing the Modern Law Firm: New Challenges, New Perspectives (pp. 10–36). Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-958964-X.
  12. Empson, L. (2007). Wrestling with the intangible: Creating value in knowledge-based mergers. In Angwin, D. (Ed.), Images of mergers and acquisitions: A multidisciplinary perspective Blackwell.
  13. Empson, L. (2006). Professionals in partnership. In Craig, J. (Ed.), Production Values: Futures of Professionalism Demos.
  14. Empson, L. and Chapman, C. (2006). Partnership versus corporation: implications of alternative forms of governance in professional service firms. In Greenwood, R. and Suddaby, R. (Eds.), Professional Service Firms (Research in the Sociology of Organizations, Volume 24) (pp. 139–170). Emerald Group. ISBN 978-0-7623-1302-0.
  15. Empson, L. (2000). Lessons from professional service firms. In Dickson, T. (Ed.), Mastering Strategy Financial Times/Pitman Publishing.
  16. Empson, L. (2000). The challenge of managing knowledge. In Dickson, T. (Ed.), Mastering Strategy Financial Times/Pitman Publishing.
  17. Empson, L. (2000). Mergers between professional service firms: Exploring an undirected process of integration. Advances in Mergers and Acquisitions (Volume 1) (pp. 205–237). Emerald. ISBN 978-0-7623-0683-1.

Conference papers and proceedings (35)

  1. Gustafsson, S. and Empson, L. (2018). Climbing invisible walls: The construction of career (im)mobility in liminal professional roles.
  2. Empson, L. (2012). Complexity leadership and professional service firms: When everyone and no one is a leader. European Group for Organization Studies Aalto University & Hanken School of Economics, Helsinki, Finland.
  3. Ashley, L. and Empson, L. (2012). Convenient Fiction or Inconvenient Truth? Making sense of the �Business Case� for gender diversity in the UK�s leading accountancy firms. European Group for Organization Studies Aalto University & Hanken School of Economics, Helsinki, Finland.
  4. Empson, L., Cleaver, I. and Allen, J. (2011). Management professionals and managing partners: Institutional entrepreneurship in professional partnerships. European Group for Organization Studies Gothenburg University, Sweden.
  5. Empson, L. (2011). Navigating ambiguity: Collective leadership processes in professional service firms. Academy of Management San Antonio, Texas.
  6. Ashley, L.E. and Empson, L. (2011). Differentiation and discrimination: Understanding social class and social exclusion in the UK's leading law firms. EGOS - Reassembling Organizations Gothenburg, Sweden.
  7. Empson, L. (2010). Evolution and revolution in the governance of law firms. Law firm evolution: Brave new world or business as usual University of Georgetown: Washington.
  8. Empson, L. (2010). Navigating ambiguity: Collective leadership processes in professional service firms. Academy of Management Montreal.
  9. Empson, L. (2010). Navigating ambiguity: Collective leadership processes in professional service firms. European Group for Organization Studies Conference Lisbon.
  10. Empson, L. (2009). Beyond dichotomies: A multi-stage model of governance in professional service firms. European Group for Organization Studies Conference Barcelona.
  11. Empson, L. (2009). Changing power dynamics in professional service firms. Academy of Management Chicago.
  12. Empson, L. (2009). Partnership: Meaning and metaphor. Future of large law firms Harvard Law School.
  13. Empson, L., Broschack, J. and Leblebici, H. (2008). Beyond received wisdom: An integrative perspective on organising professionals. European Group for Organization Studies Conference Amsterdam.
  14. Empson, L. (2008). Partnership matters. Symposium on the legal profession Georgetown University.
  15. Empson, L., Broschak, J. and Leblebici, H. (2007). Beyond received wisdom: Professionals and professional service firms. Academy of Management (OMT and BPS Divisions) Philadelphia.
  16. Empson, L. (2007). My affair with the �other�: The interpenetration of research and practice. Organization Studies Summer Workshop Crete.
  17. Empson, L. (2006). Professionals in partnership: Continuity and change. Professions and the knowledge-based economy conference Lancaster University.
  18. Empson, L. (2006). Surviving and thriving in a changing world: The special nature of partnership. European Group for Organization Studies Conference Bergen.
  19. Alvesson, M. and Empson, L. (2006). The construction of organizational identity: Comparative case studies of consulting firms. Academy of Management Conference (OMT Division) Atlanta.
  20. Empson, L. and Chapman, C. (2005). Partnership versus corporation: Implications of alternative forms of governance for managerial authority and organizational priorities in professional service firms. Academy of Management Conference (OMT Division) Honolulu.
  21. Chapman, C. and Empson, L. (2005). Performance measures, pay, and accountability: A comparison of two professional service firms. European Accounting Association Conference Gothenberg.
  22. EMPSON, L.A.U.R.A. (2004). ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTITY CHANGE: MANAGERIAL REGULATION AND MEMBER IDENTIFICATION IN AN ACCOUNTING FIRM ACQUISITION.
  23. Empson, L. (2003). Changing organizational identity: Identity regulation and re-identification in an accounting firm acquisition. European Group for Organization Studies Conference Copenhagen.
  24. Empson, L. and Chapman, C. (2003). Consequences of changing forms of governance for the management of professional service firms: Emerging themes. Cllifford Chance Conference on Professional Service Firms University of Oxford.
  25. Empson, L. and Chapman, C. (2002). Implications of alternative forms of governance in Professional Service Firms. Professional Service Firms Conference University of Alberta.
  26. Empson, L. (2002). Organizational identity in accounting firms: Continuity and change post acquisition. EURAM Conference Stockholm.
  27. Greenwood, R. and Empson, L. (2002). The professional partnership: Relic or exemplary form of governance. European Group for Organization Studies Conference Barcelona.
  28. Empson, L. (2000). The triumph of commercialism: Mergers between accounting firms and the transformation of the professional archetype. Academy of Management Conference (OMT Division) Toronto.
  29. Empson, L. (1999). Fear of association and fear of contamination: Exploring impediments to knowledge transfer in mergers between professional service firms. Professional Service Firms Conference University of Alberta.
  30. Empson, L. (1999). Phoney wars and high school dances: The evolving process of integration in mergers between professional service firms. Academy of Management Conference (OMT Division) Chicago.
  31. Empson, L. (1999). The twin fears: Knowledge transfer in mergers between professional service firms. Professional Service Firms in Transition Conference London School of Economics.
  32. Empson, L. (1997). Impediments to knowledge transfer in mergers between knowledge-based organizations. Academy of Management Conference (BPS Division) Boston.
  33. Empson, L. and Morris, T. (1997). When knowledge is power: Knowledge transfer and mergers between professional service firms. Modes of Organizing Conference University of Warwick.
  34. Empson, L. (1996). Managing successful knowledge-based mergers and acquisitions: Overcoming impediments to integration. British Academy of Management Conference Birmingham.
  35. Empson, L. (1996). Merging professional service firms: How the distinctive organizational characteristics influence the process of value creation. Strategic Management Society Conference Arizona.

Journal articles (19)

  1. Empson, L. (2019). How to lead your fellow rainmakers: Collectively, dynamically- and very carefully. Harvard Business Review, March-April, pp. 114–123.
  2. Lupu, I., Spence, C. and Empson, L. (2018). When the past comes back to haunt you: The enduring influence of upbringing on the work–family decisions of professional parents. Human Relations, 71(2), pp. 155–181. doi:10.1177/0018726717708247.
  3. Costas, J., Ekman, S., Empson, L., Kärreman, D. and Muhr, S.L. (2018). Working time regimes: A panel discussion on continuing problems. German Journal of Human Resource Management, 32(3-4), pp. 271–282. doi:10.1177/2397002218791389.
  4. Empson, L. (2017). Elite interviewing in professional organizations. Journal of Professions and Organization. doi:10.1093/jpo/jox010.
  5. Ashley, L. and Empson, L. (2016). Convenient fictions and inconvenient truths: Dilemmas of diversity at three leading accountancy firms. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 35, pp. 76–87. doi:10.1016/j.cpa.2015.05.002.
  6. Ashley, L. and Empson, L. (2016). Understanding social exclusion in elite professional service firms: Field level dynamics and the 'professional project'. Work, Employment & Society, 31(2), pp. 211–229. doi:10.1177/0950017015621480.
  7. Lupu, I. and Empson, L. (2015). Illusio and overwork: playing the game in the accounting field. Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, 28(8), pp. 1310–1340. doi:10.1108/AAAJ-02-2015-1984.
  8. Empson, L., Cleaver, I. and Allen, J. (2013). Managing partners and management professionals: Institutional work dyads in professional partnerships. Journal of Management Studies, 50(5), pp. 808–844. doi:10.1111/joms.12025.
  9. Empson, L. (2013). My Affair With the "Other": Identity Journeys Across the Research-Practice Divide. Journal of Management Inquiry, 22(2), pp. 229–248. doi:10.1177/1056492612446068.
  10. Ashley, L. and Empson, L. (2013). Differentiation and discrimination: Understanding social class and social exclusion in leading law firms. Human Relations, 66(2), pp. 219–244. doi:10.1177/0018726712455833.
  11. Empson, , L, and None, (2011). gg. .
  12. Alvesson, M. and Empson, L. (2008). The construction of organizational identity: Comparative case studies of consulting firms. Scandinavian Journal of Management, 24(1), pp. 1–16. doi:10.1016/j.scaman.2007.10.001.
  13. Empson, L. (2004). Organizational identity change: managerial regulation and member identification in an accounting firm acquisition. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 29(8), pp. 759–781. doi:10.1016/j.aos.2004.04.002.
  14. Greenwood, R. and Empson, L. (2003). The professional partnership: Relic or exemplary form of governance? Organization Studies, 24(6), pp. 909–933.
  15. Empson, L. (2001). Fear of exploitation and fear of contamination: Impediments to knowledge transfer in mergers between professional service firms. Human Relations: Knowledge management in professional service firms (Special Issue), 54(7), pp. 839–862.
  16. Empson, L. (2001). Knowledge management in professional service firms. Human Relations: Knowledge management in professional service firms (Special Issue), 54(7), pp. 811–818.
  17. Empson, L. (2000). Merging Professional Service Firms. Business Strategy Review, 11(2), pp. 39–46. doi:10.1111/1467-8616.00136.
  18. Morris, T. and Empson, L. (1998). Organization and expertise: An exploration of knowledge bases and the management of accounting and consulting firms. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 23(5-6), pp. 609–624.
  19. Empson, L. and Alvehus, J. Collective leadership dynamics among professional peers: Co-constructing an unstable equilibrium. Organization Studies.

Education

Subject/Academic Leadership

- 2008 - present, Centre for Professional Service Firms, Director
- Block I of FTMBA, Leader

Professional activities

Editorial activity (16)

  1. Academy of Management Review, Referee, 2015 – present.
  2. Journal of Professions and Organizations, Member of Editorial Board, 2013 – present.
  3. ESRC Peer Review College (Academic Member), Member of Editorial Board, 2012 – present.
  4. Journal of Management Studies, Member of Editorial Board, 2008 – present.
  5. Organization Studies, Member of Editorial Board, 2006 – present.
  6. Academy of Management Journal, Referee, 2006 – present.
  7. Accounting, Organizations, and Society, Referee, 2006 – present.
  8. British Journal of Management, Referee, 2006 – present.
  9. Harvard Business School Press, Referee, 2006 – present.
  10. Human Relations, Referee, 2006 – present.
  11. Journal of Organizational Behaviour, Referee, 2006 – present.
  12. Organisation, Referee, 2006 – present.
  13. Organizational Science, Referee, 2006 – present.
  14. Oxford University Press, Referee, 2006 – present.
  15. Sage, Referee, 2006 – present.
  16. Journal of Management Inquiry, Member of Editorial Board, 2003 – 2007.

Events/conferences (83)

  1. Leadership, Power, and Professionals. (Conference) London (2016). Chair.
  2. EGOS. (Conference) Naples (2016).
    Paper: Brothers, fathers, and friends: Collective leadership dynamics in a professional partnership
    Author: Empson L
  3. Academy of Management. (Conference) Los Angeles (2016).
    Paper: Co-constructing plural leadership dynamics among professional peers
    Author: Empson L
    Co-authors: Johan Alvehus
  4. Academy of Management. (Conference) Los Angeles (2016).
    Paper: Managing paradoxes at the research-practice interface: A boundary management framework
    Author: Gond JP
    Co-authors: Cabantous, L
  5. Academy of Management. (Conference) Los Angeles (2016).
    Paper: My liminal life: Perpetual journeys across the research-practice divide
    Author: Empson Laura
  6. Harvard Law School Seminar Series. (Seminar) Cambridge MA (2016). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Co-constructing plural leadership dynamics among professional peers
    Author: Empson L
    Co-authors: Johan Alvehus
  7. Boston College Seminar Series. (Seminar) Boston (2016). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Ambiguous authority and hidden hierarchy: collective leadership dynamics in a professional service firm
    Author: Empson L
  8. Newcastle Business School Seminar. (Seminar) (2015).
    Paper: The co-construction of leadership among professional peers
    Author: Empson L
    Co-authors: Johan Alvehus
  9. HEC Montreal Seminar Series. (Seminar) Montreal (2015). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Co-constructing plural leadership dynamics among professional peers
    Author: Empson L
    Co-authors: Johan Alvehus
  10. Pluralistic perspectives of leadership and leadership development. (Conference) Henley Business School (2015).
    Paper: The co-construction of leadership among professional peers
    Author: Empson L
    Co-authors: Johan Alvehus
  11. Academy of Management Meeting. (Conference) Vancouver (2015).
    Paper: Professional Service Firms: New Developments and Directions
    Author: Empson L
  12. Academy of Management Meeting. (Conference) Vancouver (2015).
    Paper: Illusio and overwork: Playing the game in the accounting field
    Author: Lupu L
    Co-authors: Laura Empson
  13. McGill University Seminar Series. (Seminar) Montreal (2014). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Co-constructing plural leadership dynamics among professional peers
    Author: Empson L
    Co-authors: Johan Alvehus
  14. Invited Academic Speaker Series. (Seminar) University of Lancaster (2014). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Leading autonomous followers: Indirect, overt, and covert leadership practices in professional service firms
    Author: Empson L
  15. Researching Professionals, Their Work, and Organizations Paper Development Masterclass for Early Career Researchers/Doctoral Students. (Workshop) Newcastle University (2014). Invited speaker.
    Paper: "Master" for early career researchers
    Author: Empson L
  16. Profession Fest. (Conference) University of Edinburgh (2014). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Leading autonomous followers: Indirect, overt, and covert leadership practices in professional service firms
    Author: Empson L
  17. Improving Political Leadership through Cross-Disciplinary Research. (Conference) London, UK (2014). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Leading Autonomous Followers: Indirect, Overt, and Covert Leadership in Professional Service Firms
    Author: Empson L
    Co-authors: J Alvehus
  18. CRESC Conference 2014. (Conference) Manchester (2014).
    Paper: Theorising Social Closure in Leading Professional Service Firms:
    Author: Ashley L
  19. Researching Professionals, Their Work, and Organizations: Paper Developement Masterclass for Early Career Researchers. (Conference) University of Newcastle Business School (2014). Chair.
  20. Leading autonomous followers. (Conference) Cass Business School (2014). Chair.
  21. Invited Academic Speaker Series. (Seminar) Stockholm School of Economics (2013). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Cult(ures) in collaborative communities: Reconciling the logics of autonomy and control
    Author: Empson L
  22. Invited Academic Speaker Series. (Seminar) HEC Montreal (2013). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Paper Dynamics of collective leadership: Ambiguous authority and emergent hierarchy in a professional service firm
    Author: Empson L
  23. Invited Academic Speaker Series. (Public lecture) University of Lund, Sweden (2013). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Cult(ures) in collaborative communities: Reconciling the logics of autonomy and control
    Author: Empson L
  24. European Group for Organization Studies. (Conference) Montreal (2013).
    Paper: Cult(ures) of collegiality and control: Elite professional service firms as collaborative communities
    Author: Empson L
    Co-authors: Anna Jonsson
  25. European Group for Organization Studies. (Conference) Montreal (2013).
    Paper: The autonomous follower? On leadership in professional service organizations
    Author: Alvehus J
    Co-authors: Laura Empson
  26. European Group for Organization Studies. (Conference) Montreal (2013).
    Paper: The struggle to maintain organizational identification: identity work processes of professional service firm partners
    Author: Cleaver I
  27. European Group for Organization Studies. (Conference) Montreal (2013).
    Paper: ‘Exclusive Inclusivity’: Securing Status and Legitimacy in the UKs Elite Professional Service Firms
    Author: Ashley L
  28. American Bar Foundation "Pursuing Diverse Talent in Legal and Professional Services". (Conference) Chicago (2013).
    Paper: Understanding social exclusion and the ‘war for talent’ in the UK's elite professional service firms
    Author: Ashley L
    Co-authors: Empson, L
  29. Academy of Mangement. (Conference) Orlando (2013).
    Paper: Leading Professionals
    Author: Empson L
    Co-authors: Ann Langley
  30. Academy of Management. (Conference) Orlando (2013).
    Paper: Identity journeys across the research-practice divide
    Author: Empson L
  31. Researching Professionals, Their Work and Organizations - Paper Developement Masterclass for Early Career Researchers. (Conference) Cass Business School (2013). Chair.
  32. Academy of Management Symposium - Professional service firms: Key debates and potential contributions. (Conference) Orlando (2013). Chair.
  33. Who’s in charge? Understanding leadership dynamics in professional service firms. (Conference) Cass Business School (2013). Chair.
  34. Oxford Handbook of Professional Service Firms Colloquium. (Conference) Cass (2013). Chair.
  35. Invited Academic Speaker Series. (Seminar) HEC Montreal (2012). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Dynamics of collective leadership: Ambiguous authority and emergent hierarchy in a professional service firm
    Author: Empson L
  36. Invited Academic Speaker Series. (Seminar) Stockholm School of Economics (2012). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Dynamics of collective leadership: Ambiguous authority and emergent hierarchy in a professional service firm
    Author: Empson L
  37. Invited Academic Speaker Series. (Seminar) University of Lund, Sweden (2012).
    Paper: Dynamics of collective leadership: Ambiguous authority and emergent hierarchy in a professional service firm
    Author: Empson L
  38. European Group for Organization Studies. (Conference) Aalto University & Hanken School of Economics, Helsinki, Finland (2012).
    Paper: Complexity leadership and professional service firms: When everyone and no one is a leader
    Author: Empson L
  39. European Group for Organization Studies. (Conference) Aalto University & Hanken School of Economics, Helsinki, Finland (2012).
    Paper: Convenient Fiction or Inconvenient Truth? Making sense of the ‘Business Case’ for gender diversity in the UK’s leading accountancy firms
    Author: Ashley L
    Co-authors: Empson, L
  40. Academy of Management. (Conference) Boston (2012).
    Paper: Complexity leadership and professional service firms: When everyone and no one is a leader
    Author: Empson L
  41. Academy of Management Symposium: Leadership in the Plural: Insights from Professional Organizations. (Conference) Boston (2012). Chair.
  42. Leading Professionals - Academic Conference & Doctoral Masterclass. (Conference) Cass Business School (2012). Chair.
  43. European Group for Organization Studies. (Conference) Gothenburg University, Sweden (2011).
    Paper: Management professionals and managing partners: Institutional entrepreneurship in professional partnerships
    Author: Empson L
    Co-authors: Cleaver, I and Allen, J
  44. Academy of Management. (Conference) San Antonio, Texas (2011).
    Paper: Navigating ambiguity: Collective leadership processes in professional service firms
    Author: Empson L
  45. Academy of Management Symposium - Leadership in the Plural: Forms, Practices and Dynamics. (Conference) San Antonio, Texas (2011). Chair.
  46. Law firm evolution: Brave new world or business as usual, University of Georgetown. (Conference) University of Georgetown: Washington (2010).
    Paper: Evolution and revolution in the governance of law firms
    Author: Empson L
  47. Globalisation and the Changing Role of Professional Services, University of York. (Conference) University of York (2010). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Beyond dichotomies: a multi-stage model of governance in professional service firms
    Author: Empson L
  48. European Group for Organization Studies Conference. (Conference) Lisbon (2010). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Navigating ambiguity: Collective leadership processes in professional service firms
    Author: Empson L
  49. Challenge of Change in Professional Service Firms. (Conference) Cass (2010). Chair.
  50. Future of large law firms, Harvard Law School. (Seminar) Harvard Law School (2009). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Partnership: Meaning and metaphor
    Author: Empson L
  51. European Group for Organization Studies Conference. (Conference) Barcelona (2009). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Beyond dichotomies: A multi-stage model of governance in professional service firms
    Author: Empson L
  52. Academy of Management. (Conference) Chicago (2009).
    Paper: Changing power dynamics in professional service firms
    Author: Empson L
  53. Identity and Contested Concepts of Professionalism. (Conference) Cass (2009). Chair.
  54. Symposium on the legal profession. (Conference) Georgetown University (2008). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Partnership matters
    Author: Empson L
  55. European Group for Organization Studies Conference. (Conference) Amsterdam (2008).
    Paper: Beyond received wisdom: An integrative perspective on organising professionals
    Author: Empson L
    Co-authors: Broschack, J and Leblebici, H
  56. Organization Studies Summer Workshop. (Conference) Crete (2007).
    Paper: My affair with the ‘other’: The interpenetration of research and practice
    Author: Empson L
  57. Academy of Management (OMT and BPS Divisions). (Conference) Philadelphia (2007).
    Paper: Beyond received wisdom: Professionals and professional service firms
    Author: Empson L
    Co-authors: Broschak, J and Leblebici, H
  58. Clifford Chance Conference on Professional Service Firms, co-organised with University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). (Conference) Chicago (2007). Chair.
  59. Professions and the knowledge-based economy conference. (Conference) Lancaster University (2006). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Professionals in partnership: Continuity and change
    Author: Empson L
  60. European Group for Organization Studies Conference. (Conference) Bergen (2006).
    Paper: Surviving and thriving in a changing world: The special nature of partnership
    Author: Empson L
  61. Academy of Management Conference (OMT Division). (Conference) Atlanta (2006).
    Paper: The construction of organizational identity: Comparative case studies of consulting firms
    Author: Alvesson M
    Co-authors: Empson, L
  62. Clifford Chance Conference on Professional Service Firms, co-organised with IESE Business School, University of Navarra. (Conference) Barcelona (2006). Chair.
  63. European Accounting Association Conference. (Conference) Gothenberg (2005).
    Paper: Performance measures, pay, and accountability: A comparison of two professional service firms
    Author: Chapman C
    Co-authors: Empson, L
  64. Academy of Management Conference (OMT Division). (Conference) Honolulu (2005).
    Paper: Partnership versus corporation: Implications of alternative forms of governance for managerial authority and organizational priorities in professional service firms
    Author: Empson L
    Co-authors: Chapman, C
  65. Clifford Chance Conference on Professional Service Firms. (Conference) Saïd Business School, University of Oxford (2005). Chair.
  66. Academy of Management Conference (OMT Division). (Conference) New Orleans (2004).
    Paper: Organizational identity change: Managerial regulation and member identification in an accounting firm acquisition
    Author: Empson L
  67. European Group for Organization Studies Conference. (Conference) Copenhagen (2003).
    Paper: Changing organizational identity: Identity regulation and re-identification in an accounting firm acquisition
    Author: Empson L
  68. Cllifford Chance Conference on Professional Service Firms. (Conference) University of Oxford (2003).
    Paper: Consequences of changing forms of governance for the management of professional service firms: Emerging themes
    Author: Empson L
    Co-authors: Chapman, C
  69. Professional Development Workshop on Professional Service Firms, Academy of Management Conference (OMT Division). (Conference) Seattle (2003). Chair.
  70. Clifford Chance Conference on Professional Service Firms. (Conference) Saïd Business School, University of Oxford (2003). Chair.
  71. European Group for Organization Studies Conference. (Conference) Barcelona (2002).
    Paper: The professional partnership: Relic or exemplary form of governance
    Author: Greenwood R
    Co-authors: Empson, L
  72. EURAM Conference. (Conference) Stockholm (2002).
    Paper: Organizational identity in accounting firms: Continuity and change post acquisition
    Author: Empson L
  73. Oxford Conference on Professional Service Firms. (Conference) Christ Church College, University of Oxford (2001). Chair.
  74. Academy of Management Conference (OMT Division). (Conference) Toronto (2000).
    Paper: The triumph of commercialism: Mergers between accounting firms and the transformation of the professional archetype
    Author: Empson L
  75. Symposium: Professional Service Firms: Variation and Transformation, Academy of Management Conference (OMT Division). (Conference) Toronto (2000). Chair.
  76. Oxford Workshop on Professional Service Firms. (Conference) St Anne’s College, University of Oxford (2000). Chair.
  77. Professional Service Firms in Transition Conference. (Conference) London School of Economics (1999).
    Paper: The twin fears: Knowledge transfer in mergers between professional service firms
    Author: Empson L
  78. Professional Service Firms Conference. (Conference) University of Alberta (1999).
    Paper: Fear of association and fear of contamination: Exploring impediments to knowledge transfer in mergers between professional service firms
    Author: Empson L
  79. Academy of Management Conference (OMT Division). (Conference) Chicago (1999).
    Paper: Phoney wars and high school dances: The evolving process of integration in mergers between professional service firms
    Author: Empson L
  80. Modes of Organizing Conference. (Conference) University of Warwick (1997).
    Paper: When knowledge is power: Knowledge transfer and mergers between professional service firms
    Author: Empson L
    Co-authors: Morris, T
  81. Academy of Management Conference (BPS Division). (Conference) Boston (1997).
    Paper: Impediments to knowledge transfer in mergers between knowledge-based organizations
    Author: Empson L
  82. Strategic Management Society Conference. (Conference) Arizona (1996).
    Paper: Merging professional service firms: How the distinctive organizational characteristics influence the process of value creation
    Author: Empson L
  83. British Academy of Management Conference. (Conference) Birmingham (1996).
    Paper: Managing successful knowledge-based mergers and acquisitions: Overcoming impediments to integration
    Author: Empson L

Media appearances (30)

  1. Cass Talks episode 184 - Professor Laura Empson on power and politics in professional service firms. (2014) MoneyScience.
  2. (2014) Financial Times (newspaper).
  3. The Future of Law: Leadership dynamics. (2014) The Global Legal Post.
  4. Does HMRC's notion of significant influence match the reality within law firms? (2013) Blogs - Managing Partner.
  5. Norton Rose Martocracy. (2013) The Lawyer (magazine).
  6. Who needs democracy in law firms? (2013) The Lawyer (magazine).
  7. (2013) Lawyer.
  8. (2013) The Times (newspaper).
  9. swiss banks ditch 200 years of history. (2013) The Financial Times (newspaper).
  10. las profesiones en que solo pueden tradajar los hijos de. (2013) El Confidential.
  11. Posh makes sense! (2013) PQ magazine (magazine).
  12. Its not what you know, its how you look to the clients. (2012) The Times (newspaper).
  13. Leadership in professional organsisations. (2012) www.goarticles.com (website).
  14. Historic bank that shows us how things should be done. (2011) www.thisislondon.co.uk (website).
  15. Consultants offer £60bn value for money, says study. (2010) Financial Times (newspaper).
  16. All change? (2009) Financial Times (newspaper).
  17. Learning to lead. (2009) Legal Week (magazine).
  18. A model of action or agreement. (2009) www.ft.com (website).
  19. Will we all make the same mistakes again? (2009) Times (newspaper).
  20. Angelic choirs. (2009) Times (newspaper).
  21. Facing the pain of falling down a tier. (2008) Times (newspaper).
  22. Facing the pain. (2008) Times (newspaper).
  23. Facing the pain. (2008) www.timesonline.co.uk (website).
  24. Allen & Overy display piratical tendencies. (2008) www.silobreaker.com (website).
  25. Playing to type. (2008) www.lawgazette.co.uk (website).
  26. (2008) Spectator Business.
  27. Mind the Plank. (2008) Times (newspaper).
  28. Finely tuned conventional model that stands in way of change. (2007) Financial Times (newspaper).
  29. Private practice: Management category. (2007) Financial Times (newspaper).
  30. Managing the Modern Law Firm: New Challenges, New Perspectives. (2007) The Houston Lawyer Magazine (magazine).
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